My children started back to school yesterday after their two week holiday break. I spent the morning buying textbooks for college with my oldest daughter and then came home and cleaned house. Late in the afternoon, about nine teenagers (two of them mine) arrived for a sledding party. The walked in the cold, cold air on our icy country lane up to an area they call the "bowl" for its shape. As you can imagine, that bowl shape provides a wonderful landscape for sledding.
Afterward they came back into the house and made hot chocolate and lemonade (not wintry but deliciously refreshing) and baked the cookie dough that one young man brought with him. My little boys got home in time to share in the hot chocolate and cookies, though not the sledding (they were at the bowl the day before with their dad.)
Today, the house is quiet. Nine year old Sijo stayed home from school with a sore throat and a slight headache, but he isn't feeling very poorly. Tuesdays, as you may remember if you read my blog often, are my "at home day." Though the main rooms are often cleaned up for company or just a weekly once-over, the corners become cluttered and untidy much too easily. I've been working on the piles in the corners of the master bedroom today. Everything ends up in there! The ironing board, my husband's work-related manuals, the laundry piles, the big box of gift-wrap... you name it!
As a break from heavy cleaning (definitely not my favorite thing) I am spending a little time in the kitchen. I have croutons toasting in the oven as I write this, made from what was left of the bread I baked on Sunday. Three fresh loaves are rising on the counter top.
There is nothing exciting going on this Tuesday afternoon at the Quiet Country House. Sijo is reading a collection of Peanuts comics in his bed, the cats are napping in sunshine streaming in through the windows, and I'm getting hungry smelling the aroma of olive oil and italian seasoning from the croutons in the oven. Whereever you are, however you are filling your afternoon hours, I wish you contentment.
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photos by Aisling, January 2009
13 comments:
It looks peaceful and clean! I'm not a fan of cleaning either, but I love things to BE clean, bacause it makes me feel at peace.
Sounds like a nice day.
Joyce, I know exactly what you mean. And really, I have a hard time relaxing in a really messy space. I feel like I should be up and taking care of something.
Thanks for the nice comment! I hope your day is wonderful!
That sledding party sounds wonderful! I can remember having ice skating parties like that! Of course now, the pond hardly freezes.
Abbie,
The ice skating parties sound fun. We used to do that about once a year at our friend's house, but it takes a lot of work to groom a pond for skating (to remove snow and also to have smooth ice.) Now that their children are grown, our friends don't go to all the trouble.
I just loved seeing pictures of your house, Aisling! I had seen the kitchen before but not the living room and how they flow into one another. Thank you. I love the idea of the sledding party.
Oh, and what is to the left of the white lamp on a rather high stand? It looks like an old radio.
Nan, Thank you!
That is indeed an old radio on an antique music stand (my Mom bought it used years and years ago.) The radio has a note written on the back in pencil that says "Oct. 31 - '38." I think it is interesting that the day of the year is Halloween. Someday I should write a slightly eerie short story in which this radio and that date play a role, don't you think?
I'm so glad you stopped by and took the time to comment! :)
Does it work? If not, could it be fixed? I can almost picture people sitting around it listening to the old radio shows and FDR's talks.
Nan, It doesn't work. I will probably try to have it repaired one day... but I'm not sure who would have the expertise for such an old radio. In the meantime, I like it as art. :)
It sounds like heaven to me, except for the cleaning. I've been preparing for a party tomorrow night, and I'm nearly ready. I'm also quite tired from the holidays. Your writing was a balm to my weary self.
I hope your day was a balm for you too.~~Dee
Dee,
I'm glad to know that my writing was a balm to your spirit. Sometimes I have such a hectic or tiring day that I have to read through my blog looking for moments of peace to sooth my own spirit.
I hope your party goes well!
Aisling, loved the tour of your home. Like all the windows. It looks so peaceful.
Yes, I have to have things tidy and clean before I can relax and feel peaceful. I remember all the going and coming of my children and their friends. Times passes to quickly.
Have a good day.
Ernestine, We really like our windows too. We modified the original design of the home to include all these windows so that we could enjoy the panoramic view of rolling hills and sparkling water.
Even though I have small children, with my oldest being nearly 19 I have definitely had that sensation of time passing much too quickly that you are referring too.
Thank you for visiting!
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